French and France
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15 More Funny French Idioms
Can you speak French like a native? If you are already familiar with most of these idioms, congratulations! You likely have reached a high level of fluency. If not, some of them might sound very funny to you! Let’s go over them and check your knowledge . . .
How Learning French Can Make You A Better Person
Learning French can literally make you a better person. How is that even possible? We’ll tell you.
How French Can Make You More Money
What’s the ROI on learning French? We’ll tell you.
3 Ways French Can Get You Your Dream Job
French class is not just for French literature nuts. Speaking French can give you a serious leg-up in today’s global job market, and it just might get you your dream job.
La Semaine de la Francophonie
It’s La Semaine de la Francophonie! We’re celebrating la Francophonie this week – learn more about French, France and the Francophone world here.
How Learning French Can Make You Measurably Smarter
Getting your best chance at fluency is not only possible, but it’s proven to pay off in the long run. Learning a second language at any age can actually make you measurably smarter.
Can Learning French Change Your Life?
At the AUCP, we’re committed to foreign language fluency, and that’s why, in celebration of the Semaine de la Francophonie, we’re launching a series of blog posts highlighting why learning a foreign language is simply a necessity in today’s world. From increased earning power, personal fulfillment, international communication, job marketability and cognitive superiority, French fluency gives students a leg up in today’s competitive global world.
French Music Roundup #1
French music is much more than accordeons and Edith Piaf (I mean, we love Edith Piaf too). But music is one of the most fun ways to work on French skills – so here is a smattering of French songs by French musicians that you could hear on the radio today.
10 Super-Hard French Tongue Twisters
How do you say tongue twister in French? Virelangue, or literally, turn of the tongue! Try out your French pronunciation with these perfectly absurd alliterative phrases, the French equivalent of « She sells seashells on the seashore »!
Even French Presidents Mangle Metaphors
This week, Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s colorful ex-president, gave the country a good laugh and made the buzz on French social media by incorrectly quoting an obscure French expression, mixing rhubarb and salad. Say what ? Read this week’s « En Français Dans le Texte » blog post to find out what the fun was all about…
Rachael on Fighting Fear & Islamophobia: AUCP Alumni Guest Post
Many AUCP alumni were deeply affected by the November 13th terrorists attacks in Paris. An attack on the values of a country they hold so dear. Linfield College student and AUCP alumna Rachael Conway wrote this post, demonstrating what it truly means to be a Global Citizen.
The Marseillais Make Montécaos!
What’s a montécao, you ask? Our AUCP Marseille students found out! Monday evening, a group of students went to a local oriental pâtisserie to learn how to make this traditional North African cookie whose recipe dates back over a thousand years!
How to Frenchify Yourself in 11 Steps
Many AUCP students come to the France with the goal of French fluency. But fluency isn’t just about language, it’s also about behavior! Check out these 11 ways to act French, guaranteed to tickle any Francophile!
Fête de la Musique 2015
AUCP summer students will be dancing in the streets of Aix-en-Provence on June 21st! Launched by France’s charismatic Minister of Culture…
Learning to Be Philosophical
Today is a big day for French high school students. Around 685,000 of them will be sweating it out during a four-hour essay exam in philosophy that marks the beginning of six long days of examinations leading to the French baccalaureate.
Recipe: Daube de Poulet Mauritienne
Students spent last Tuesday in the AUCP kitchen! French language partners joined in for an authentically Francophone home-made lunch in the garden. We’re sharing a recipe for a fabulous and unique Franco-Mauritian Daube de Poulet from Recettes de Famille, an AUCP student collection of French recipes shared with their host families.
Poisson d’Avril!
Spring brings out the jokester in all of us with the poisson d’avril, the French equivalent of April Fools’ Day. The history of the « April Fish, » some newsworthy April Fools jokes in France and key prank-worthy French vocab, here!
Recipe: Quiche Provençale
Students spent last Tuesday in the AUCP kitchen making all kinds of quiches! French language partners joined in for an authentically French home-made lunch in the garden. We’re sharing a recipe for a fabulous quiche Provençal from Recettes de Famille, an AUCP student collection of the favorite dishes they shared while living with their French host family.
Pop Culture à la Française: L’Aziza by Daniel Balavoine
Sharing their daily lives with the French, AUCP students learn everyday language, but also everyday culture. Daily conversations may be full of pop culture references that may escape outsiders. But we’re here to help! Our latest blog post series, Pop Culture à la française shares the must-know elements. Check out this first post, Daniel Balavoine’s popular song L’Aziza!
15 Funniest French Idioms
AUCP students learn to speak like the French. Idioms, colloquialisms, sayings…these definitely aren’t in your typical French textbook. Students come across these phrases pretty often. These are (in our opinion) some of the funniest!
Recipe: Les Crêpes pour La Chandeleur
Students made crêpes together on La Chandeleur, or for the gourmands, La fête des crêpes! With some history and a recipe from Recettes de Famille, an AUCP student collection of the favorite dishes they shared while living with their French host family.
How To Keep Speaking French Back on Campus
So you’re back from your semester or summer abroad, and you want to keep up your French? Or, you’re thinking about studying abroad and want to brush up on your French? See what resources are available for you at our partner universities!
AUCP Student Guest Post: Full-Year Student Kaitlin on #JeSuisCharlie
Kaitlin Curran is a full-year student studying at the AUCP in Aix-en-Provence. A French Studies major from Colby College in Maine, Kaitlin experienced the moment and the aftermath of 9/11, the Boston Marathon attack, and now the events in France. She shares her insights and contrasts.
Sarah’s Pivotal Moment
An AUCP Student Guest Post
Last Fall’s students have long settled in back home, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still thinking of them, and vice versa! Now, as Spring semester comes to an end, we wanted to share this moving post about leaving, written last semester by Sarah.
Nous Sommes Charlie
AUCP Founding Director Lilli Engle addresses the events of January 7th’s attacks and the subsequent march in solidarity that brought together four million people in France in a letter to our readers, may the be colleagues, parents, future or former students.
How Do You Say ‘Happy New Year’ in French?
Bonné Année! Check out a few New Year’s vocabulary, here.
Celebrating Armistice Day in France
Armistice Day, celebrated on November 11, marks the end of World War I. Just like in the States for Veteran’s Day, the French have a day off to commemorate the lives lost. So what do the French do on Armistice Day?
L’Art de la Bise
Two bises or not two bises? That is the question! Have a look at this cute video for an introduction to the complexities of French kissing on the cheek.
Saying Bonjour is as Easy as Pie…or Is It?
Who says saying hello is easy? The French do! Simple comme bonjour means Easy as Pie. But if you wern’t born French, Bonjour is a complex ritual that needs to be mastered. Especially if you don’t want to be considered an anti-social snob… Here’s how in 6 (relatively easy) steps.
8 Tips for Dating in France
What do to if you meet a belle or beau in France? How do you navigate the muddy waters of dating the French? Let us help!